Meaning & use
business practices
Last updated
Meanings
nounplural
The usual ways that companies do business, especially relating to ethics and fairness.
Grammar: Plural noun; takes a plural verb: 'Business practices vary.' For one method, use 'business practice'.
Patterns
- fair business practices
- unfair business practices
- business practices in a country
- change business practices
The report criticized the company's business practices.
New laws aim to make business practices fairer.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about ethical business practices.
nounplural
The standard methods and procedures used in a particular industry or company.
Grammar: Plural noun; often followed by 'in' or 'of'.
Patterns
- business practices in an industry
- standard business practices
- adopt business practices
The firm adopted modern business practices.
Business practices in the tech sector change quickly.
They studied the business practices of successful startups.
Word forms
| singular | business practice |
|---|
Common combinations
- fair business practices
- The company is known for its fair business practices.
- unfair business practices
- The regulator investigated unfair business practices.
- ethical business practices
- Ethical business practices can attract loyal customers.
- standard business practices
- This is in line with standard business practices.
Synonyms and how they differ
- business methods
- More neutral and general; 'business practices' often implies an ethical judgment.
- commercial practices
- Similar but more formal and often used in legal contexts.
Word family
- business practice noun
- A single method or way of doing business.
Commonly confused: business practices or business practice?
business practices vs business practice
Singular refers to one method; plural refers to the general ways a company operates.
Practice
The company was fined for unfair business ___.
Choose one answer.
The plural 'practices' is the fixed form for ways of doing business. 'Practice' as a singular would refer to one method, and 'practical' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “business practices”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.